Significantly, Wenger promised Sanchez around £135,000 a week in wages, putting him on a par with the likes of Mesut Ozil at the Emirates.

The reports suggest that within hours of the meeting Sanchez told his agent, Fernando Felicevich, that is was now his strong preference to join the Gunners.

That scuppered any chance that Liverpool had of landing Sanchez in part-exchange for Luis Suarez, and while Juventus made a late bid to land the winger, their offer could not compete with that of Arsenal.

Sanchez is now expected to complete his move to the Gunners in the next couple of days, with Wenger's charm offensive seemingly having sealed the deal.